Bulls snap Jacks' winning streak

Staff Reports

Published 7:22 pm, Saturday, March 24, 2012

AMARILLO -- The Odessa Jackalopes had 39 shots on goal, but couldn't put any of them in the net in a 1-0 loss to the Amarillo Bulls on Saturday. It marks the ninth time this season the Jacks have lost to the Bulls.

Amarillo's Mike Erickson took a set up from Karl Beckman for the game's only goal with 12:51 left in the second period. It was the only shot Jacks goalie Connor Hellebuyck allowed past him. Hellebuyck had 38 saves, but was outdueled by Amarillo's Gregg Gruehl.

The loss ends a seven game win streak for the Jacks, who fortunately remained tied for fourth place with Corpus Christi for the final playoff berth available in the North American Hockey League's South Division.

Odessa (26-26-5 for 57 points) returns to action at 7:05 p.m. Friday against the Wichita Falls Wild at Kay Yeager Coliseum in Wichita Falls. The Jacks have won five straight against the Wild with all of those wins occuring in the past month.